It’s that time of year again! We’re all tired of winter’s cold weather, along with the snow, ice, wind, and grey skies. We are hungry for warmer weather. We can see the lengthening of daylight but are still looking for ‘green’. When the calendar flips to March, we can finally see signs of hope as the spring equinox is near.
Also known as the vernal equinox, March 20, 2025 at 5:01AM EDT marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs when the Earth’s axis is perpendicular to the sun and the sun shines directly on the equator. This results in days and nights that are equal in length.
Solstices, on the other hand, represent times when the Earth’s axis reaches its maximum tilt towards or away from the sun — when days and nights are the longest or the shortest. For the last few years, Catskill has held a Solstice Stroll in December and is working on creating a similar event this June.
After the spring equinox, the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the sun, resulting in gradually longer days and warmer temperatures. The reverse is true in the Southern Hemisphere.
The start of spring is a cause for celebration. Many holidays occur in early spring such as Easter, Passover, Holi, among others. The season means warmer weather so many celebrate by spending time in nature, (re)decorating their homes, or engaging in spring sports such as baseball or track and field events. The vernal equinox also marks the start of the zodiac calendar. This seasonal cycle of the year is created by the Earth’s annual orbit around the sun.
It’s a time for both worldly and personal renewal – a fresh start! Enjoy the feel of the returning sun. Listen closely for the songbirds return and their songs as the earth reawakens and warms. As the rivers and streams rise from the melting snow, we often feel the need to re-awaken our spirits and wash away the physical and mental debris that has gathered over the winter. The thaw has come. It’s time for spring cleaning to open the blinds, wash the windows, dust the cobwebs, and shake out the rugs. In springtime, we feel the determination of a daffodil growing through the soil to reach the sun. The old melts away with the snow. New ideas, plans, dreams, and possibilities sprout, needing our attention. A brand-new world of growth awaits!
Many people celebrate the spring equinox by waking up with the sun, to awaken the mind and body for a new day and season. Others use the vernal equinox to plant seeds for this year’s garden. But note that we cannot really hasten the garden’s growth. Like the earth, we must stay balanced between the open anticipation of what spring will bring and the patience to wait for the soil to warm up to allow plants to flourish.
However you mark the occasion, I hope you find this month to be a time for reflection, growth and new beginnings. There’s no time like the present to get outside and celebrate the return of warmer weather. Happy Spring!
Cultivate Catskill 